has been overdue

USAGE SUMMARY

"has been overdue" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that was supposed to be done by a certain time and has not yet been done. For example, "The report has been overdue for weeks now and still isn't finished."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

You can see what it meant to him in Seville to get the goals he has been overdue with us.

The Guardian - Sport

The 'Parkfield earthquake'5 has been overdue since 1993, and a 1989 forecast6 for 98 circum-Pacific zones predicted that nine characteristic earthquakes should have happened by 1994; only two occurred.

Nature

A broad overhaul of athletic admissions systems in Division I, the highest level of N.C.A.A. competition and the level the colleges in the scheme compete in, has been overdue, according to several athletic administrators interviewed in recent days.

The New York Times - Sports

The publication of the Chilcot report has been overdue for several years, with discussions in recent months focusing on 25 notes from Blair to Bush and 130 records of conversations.

The Guardian

Until a year ago, Americans had elected presidents who were in favor of upholding "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"—so if action on this has been overdue, it's only been for the single year of the Obama presidency.The "finally" comes from over five years of polling (or "poll after poll" as Mr Kristol says) showing support for repealing the law.

The Economist

Although the clock was ticking toward the end of the session, and the state's leaders had yet to sign off on the budget, which has been overdue since April 1, or on a plan to satisfy a court order requiring the state to send more money to New York City schools, or to pass any other major legislation, there was little sense of urgency on Monday.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

For some, that decision may have been overdue.

The New York Times

The elevators appear to have been overdue for an inspection.

The New York Times

Els, one of Scott's closest friends on tour, said the changes had been overdue.

The New York Times - Sports

"We've been overdue for a pullback," said Raymond Dooley, a retired farmer and insurance salesman here.

The New York Times

This boosted the president's stature without terminally alienating the troops, who felt the old men at the top had been overdue retirement.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been overdue" to clearly communicate that an action or event was expected to occur at a specific time in the past and has not yet happened. This emphasizes the delay and potential consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "has been overdue" when referring to future expectations. This phrase indicates something should have already occurred, not what is expected in the future. For future expectations, use phrases like "is expected soon" or "will be due".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been overdue" functions as a stative verb phrase, indicating a state of being past the expected time for completion or occurrence. It modifies a noun or subject by describing its condition of lateness. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been overdue" is a grammatically sound and understandable way to communicate that something is past its expected completion date, as affirmed by Ludwig. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, it conveys a sense of lateness and potential urgency. When using the phrase, ensure it aligns with past expectations rather than future ones. Alternatives like "is long delayed" or "should have already happened" offer similar meanings but with slightly different nuances. Remember to assess your context carefully to select the most appropriate alternative. Using "has been overdue" correctly communicates that a specific event or action should have occurred by a particular time but is yet to happen.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should have already happened

Highlights the expectation that something should have occurred sooner.

was due long ago

Emphasizes the extended period of delay.

is long delayed

Focuses on the lateness of an event or action, highlighting its delayed nature.

is already late

Directly states the lateness, useful for urgent situations.

is delayed

Emphasizes the postponement and lateness, reducing intensity compared to "has been overdue".

was expected earlier

Focuses on the prior expectation and the delay relative to that.

is behind schedule

More direct and practical, often used in project management contexts.

is running late

Suggests that something is in the process of becoming overdue.

is not on time

A simple and straightforward way to express that something is late.

is outstanding

Highlights that something has not yet been completed or resolved.

FAQs

How can I use "has been overdue" in a sentence?

You can use "has been overdue" to indicate that something was expected to be completed or happen at a specific time in the past but has not yet occurred. For instance, "The payment "has been overdue" for a month."

What are some alternatives to saying "has been overdue"?

Alternatives include "is long delayed", "is behind schedule", or "should have already happened". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "is overdue" instead of "has been overdue"?

Yes, "is overdue" is often correct and simpler. However, "has been overdue" emphasizes the duration or accumulation of time since the expected date, making it more suitable when highlighting the length of the delay.

When should I use "has been overdue" versus "will be overdue"?

"Has been overdue" refers to something that was due in the past and is still not done. "Will be overdue" refers to something that is expected to be due in the future and is anticipated to be late. Ensure you select the tense that correctly matches the timeline you are describing.